ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR
PUNE, NOVEMBER 21, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com
I am a
Survivor They are strong, they are courageous and, more importantly, they did not give up when the going got tough. Meet five brave hearts from the city, who have survived to tell their tale
No instrument? No problem
Listen to your body p05
Chicken soup for your pet’s soul
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TGS LIFE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
STAGE
He never wanted to be anything but a musician
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After being successful as a music composer and singer, Nakash Aziz now wants to form a band of his own and dreams of performing world concerts someday By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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musician at heart Nakash Aziz was only 16 years old when he composed his first set of songs. Hailing from a house where music was greatly appreciated and was also a part of the environment, becoming something other than a musician never crossed his mind. Passionate about wanting to make a career in music, be it as a composer or a singer, he taught himself everything that he needed to know. From college competitions to reality shows, he has tried his hand at everything. It was a part time job as a music arranger at a show where A R Rahman was the judge that finally became the stepping stone to his success. Eight years ago, on the fateful day he first made Rahman listen to his music and today he works with the music maestro occasionally. It has been a long journey and a happy one for the young singer. Starting his career as a music composer, Nakash has created music for several Marathi films like Raaada Rox and No Entry Pudhe Dhoka Aahey. He has also worked with Rahman on movies like Highway, Rockstar and Delhi 6. It was after working as a composer for a while, that he decided to try singing and has given the industry hits like Saree Ke Fall Sa, Selfie Le Le Re and Gandi Baat, among others. He has also had the opportunity to sing for two Hollywood films, The Hundred Foot Journey and Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. “Rahman Sir has been a great influence and inspiration throughout my life. He
is witty and knows his stuff extremely well and it is a great experience collaborating with him. It is because of him and Pritam Da, with whom I worked for the song Pungi, that I have achieved so much, so early on in my career,” says Nakash. The 30-year-old musician has sung around 20 songs since 2010 and most of them have been chartbusters. The only regret the young musician has is not having undergone professional music training when he was younger but it’s never too late for anything so he does riyaaz every day and is learning everything he can from the music geniuses who he works with. Apart from being influenced by Pritam and Rahman, a great music influence for Nakash has been his father, Naushad Aziz. “My father loved music. He had a band called Rema Roses and they would do several events. Back in Mangalore, he and my uncle were known for singing just like Kishore Kumar and Mukesh and I feel I absorbed their talent as a child,” he adds. After Salman Khan and Shahid Kapoor, he wants to be the voice of Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan and is currently also working on forming his own band. One of his big dreams is to be able to take his music international with the help of concerts and world tours. His upcoming projects as a music composer include two Marathi movies, Khel and Vaddivschya Hardik Subhecha. He has also performed the song Heer Toh Badi Sad Hai from the soon to release film Tamasha along with Mika Singh. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
“It is because of Rahman Sir and Pritam Da, that I have achieved so much, so early on in my career”
Get set for a date with maestros By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
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he fifth edition of NCPA Aadi Anant Festival will kick start from Pune this Sunday. The five-city travelling music festival will have a line-up of some of prominent musicians from the country including Ustad Zakir Hussain, Satyajit Talwalkar, Rakesh Chaurasia, Rajan and Sajan Mishra and many others who will wow the audiences with their soulful music. At this edition of Aadi Anant Festival, Niladri Kumar, who has played with some of the most sought after composers, such as AR Rahman, will be playing with his band. “It’s an honour to have them accompany me and viceversa. Artists such as Sridhar Parthasarathy, Satyajit Talkwalkar, Gino Banks, Sheldon D’Silva and Agnelo Fernandes are magicians in their own right. I shall be playing with Ustad Zakir Hussainji on December 10 in Mumbai, Thane and Vashi. It’s an honour and blessing to play with him.”
Talking about his performance, Niladri feels that when it comes to live shows, even after what’s planned, the spontaneity, unpredictability and experimentation is what happens when everyone is on stage, in that moment, together. “Each time it is different,
not only for the listeners but for us musicians too. The Pune audience is incredibly musical and I’ve experienced there is a stronger inclination towards sheer melodious music irrespective of its genre.” Under the brand of Stay UPRooted,
Niladri had recently taken up a 30-day challenge to train 12 children from an orphanage, who have now become a part of a choir called Awaaz. To collect funds for the cause, Niladri will be auctioning his 100-yearold sitar to be able to provide music education to the underprivileged but musically-inclined children. “The auction will take place early next year and I can only hope the response is good as this will support the vision that we are striving for.” The sitar which Niladri is putting up for auction played a vital role in starting his musical career, which he hopes will now help in kick-starting careers of many more musicians. NH7 Weekender, which begins on December 4, will also have Niladri on stage once again. This time, he is also a part of the special video which has been recreated and rearranged from the famous Dhakka Laga Bukka song from the film Yuva by AR Rahman. Where: Annabhau Sathe Auditorium, Bibwewadi-Satara Road When: November 22, 5.30 pm onwards
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‘The future of theatre is in Destiny and peer pressure forced Vijay Kenkre to step into the world of theatre and the stage has been his karmabhoomi ever since
By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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true genius when it comes to directing plays, Vijay Kenkre is more than just a familiar name. From his contemporaries to young theatre enthusiasts, everyone knows and appreciates the work that he has produced. Acting in the recent blockbuster Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai 2, he has proved yet again that when he sets his heart on doing something he is sure to excel. Garnering praise for
safe hands’
his role and his ability to act, he very modestly begs to differ and believes that acting is the most difficult thing that he has had to do. On his way home from a play rehearsal, in the midst of all the Mumbai traffic, Vijay talks to us about his role in the film and his journey in the theatre industry. FROM CRICKET DREAMS TO THEATRE Accomplishing everything that he has today, one would undoubtedly assume that this was something that he wanted to do since he was a child. Hailing from a background where both his parents Damodar (Damoo) and Lalita Kenkre were well-known people in the theatre industry he was not in the least inclined to follow in their footsteps. His dream was to become a cricketer. Somewhere along the way, while he was studying at Ramniranjan Anandilal Podar College of Commerce and Economics, his friends forced him to act in a play, R for Ragging. Assuring us that his performance in the play was atrocious he was even more certain of not pursuing it as a career. Working at Model House, in Mumbai during his Diwali vacations it was Laxmikant and Purshottam Berde who pushed him to act. This was the first time he did a twoact play, Devaski, and, to his surprise, he even won an award for it. “I soon became interested in the technical aspects of producing a play. It was the director’s seat and job profile that caught my attention. Before pursuing direction full time I worked at Bank of India and even NCPA. Then through Antarnatya, a theater group that my friends and I had formed, I directed my first play which was a translation of Othello and I have never looked back since,” says Vijay. Till date, he has directed
YOUR WEEKLY DOSE OF EVENTS The Raushan Verma Scheme
The Raushan Verma Scheme will enthrall you with their powerful performance. The band plays music written and composed by singersongwriter, Raushan Verma. Their sound varies from pop rock, soft rock and blues, to progressive and alternative rock. The band was formed in early 2012 and consists of four main members, Raushan Verma on vocals, Vivek Advani on guitar, Omkar Potdar on the bass and Saket Rao on drums. Each member comes from a different musical background which adds to the overall flavor of their music. When: November 21 Where: The Beer Café, Koregaon Park
Anish Sood Live
Cuba Libre is going all out with their second-anniversary celebrations. Making sure that the dance floor is on fire will be DJ Anish Sood. Sood is part of a new generation of pathbreaking DJs and producers who have taken the Indian dance music industry by storm. He has been one of the busiest DJs in the country, playing over 70 gigs a year, selling out the biggest clubs and festivals including Sunburn, NH7 Weekender and Invasion Festival. When: November 21 Where: Cuba Libre, Seasons Mall, Hadapsar
Guns N’ Roses Tribute
Celebrate the rich GN’R legacy at Hard Rock Cafe with 2Blue, the original madman of Indian rock. 2Blue’s vocal prowess and on-stage charisma has won him equal measures of fanfare, awards, and critical acclaim. Joining him for the act will be multi-award winner Virendra Kaith aka Viru on drums, Daniel Kenneth Rego and Abel Zeliang on guitars, Aditya Kadam on bass, and Crehyl Pereira on keyboards. When: November 26 Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Koregaon Park
over 50 plays and done small roles in films as well. HIS FIRST BIG ROLE It was the conviction that Satish Rajwade, the director of the movie Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai 2 showed that convinced the director to be a part of the film. Plus, he liked the cast and crew so it was an added bonus. His wife, Mangal Kenkre is also a part of the film but does not play his wife and he is glad she does not. “Mangal is a much more disciplined actor compared to me. I would have managed working as her husband for the film but she would have gone mad,” he laughs. Mukta Barwe, who plays his daughter in the film, is one of his students and he was glad to be working with her. The character Vijay plays is completely different from the person he is in real life and getting the emotions right was a huge task for
TGS LIFE NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
STAGE him. Had it not been for the director and his ability to explain his vision, he says he would not have got the role right. He also believes that being a director helped him get an overall understanding of what Satish wanted and made his work a tad bit easier. Complementing the younger generation and their efforts when it comes to the kind of plays that they are generating, he is content that the quality of theatre is improving. “The future of theatre is in safe hands. The subjects that are being written about are interesting and intellectual and that is what the audience needs. The content in many of the plays today is noteworthy. They are enthusiastic and understand the importance of visuals, which is what is important,” he adds. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
RAHUL RAUT
TGS LIFE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
We the Artists India works towards empowering artists and promoting art. They are dedicated towards providing the artists with a platform to showcase their talent and vision towards various art forms. They not only provide artists with a chance to earn a living but also ensure that each artist is able to sustain a long term career. Keeping this in mind they have designed spaces for all forms of arts, be it theatre, music, pottery, painting, sculpting, installations, and so on. When: November 22, 11 am onwards Where: Aksharnandan School, Gokhalenagar
FEATURES
Turning peels to art City-based artist creates artwork with onion and garlic peels that usually find their way to trash bin By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
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he rise in onion prices has got artist Sanjay Shinde all riled up. The increase in prices has not quite affected his meals much but onion peels are the medium for his artwork and that really hurts. Sanjay creates beautiful collage by using peels of onions and garlic. His range of work includes famous personalities, nature landscapes or simply something that strikes his imagination. We the Artist India, an organisation committed towards promoting artists are coming up with a workshop where you can discover a unique way to turn vegetable waste into art
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under the guidance of the renowned artist. Sanjay came up with this off beat idea when he was unable to find a perfect shade for his painting. It was after he saw an onion peel, that he realised that this was what he was looking for. This gave birth to the concept of peel art. After several practice sessions and trials and errors, he was finally able to master the art. “Every day, I was on the lookout for something new in the hope that I could turn it into art. Having studied fine arts, experimentation with various mediums came easy to me. One day, I was making a painting of Lokmanya Tilak and fell short of a particular colour for his headgear. I saw an onion peel lying around which was the shade I wanted. I simply picked it up and pasted it on my painting,” he says. The art form sure is challenging. He has to select from a big heap of dried onion and garlic peels for the particular shade. He carefully selects the needed shape and pastes them on the canvas. It takes him a week, or even a month, to finish a collage. It all depends on the size and detailing. “An onion
has around seven to eight shades of peels while the garlic has four. The best thing is they do not perish or smell and hence the colours in the artwork do not change for years,” he explains. The shades in this art usually range between off white and dark brown. He has made more than 350 such collages and now wants to share his art form with others. To his credit, Sanjay has been honoured by Limca Book of Records, India Book of Records as well as Asia Book of Records. “I’d created a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi which was a three by four centimeter piece. It was one of the most difficult collages that I have ever made. Fitting peels into such a small canvas and getting the detailing right was a challenging task but it got me into the record books,” he says. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com
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By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
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f you think you need an instrument to play music, then Chakshu Sharma and Jay Kshirsagar are here to prove you wrong. They can make music with literally anything and they believe in thinking out of the box, which is why using kitchen utensils and other household items in place of actual musical instrument seems to come naturally to them. When the two 20-year-olds hold jamming sessions, the room features instruments like a pan, glass container; half a coconut shell, glass, wooden box and other spare things around. Jay plays the cake pan and Chakshu is a master with the steel glass and fork, which add an extra jingle to their songs. “I was always into music. In school, I knocked tunes out of the bench and I would sit next to anyone who would play along with pencils or a compass box. Jay had a similar interest and that is how we became friends,” recalls Chakshu. Proving that life on a budget doesn’t equal to one without a song, the boys are on a mission to make everyone, and everything, sing. The quirky two use nothing more than a few things lying around the house to produce startlingly high-quality renditions. “Initially, we didn’t have the money to buy instruments
No instrument? No problem RAHUL RAUT
They started with invading their moms’ kitchen looking for instruments, think pans and glass containers, to create interesting melodies. Check out the city’s most musically-inclined
TGS LIFE NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES and music to make an impact on people,” Jay adds. T h e i r songs are quite innovative. The boys are now in the process of forming a band and will launch their own Youtube channel soon. “Our music doesn’t fall in any stereotypical category. What we do is very different. We have big dreams but we are taking one step at a time. After we are done recording a few renditions, an online channel will be our next step,” says Jay. They like to travel, pick up aspects of different music cultures and try to adapt them into their jingles. “Recently, we went to Dharamsala to attend a music workshop. Getting to know their culture and their musical root is a different experience,” says Chakshu. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com
“I knocked tunes out of the bench and I would sit next to anyone who would play along with pencils or a compass box”
Jay Kshirsagar and Chakshu Sharma jamming with their instruments
so we started playing with things that were around us. Slowly, we got so involved with the process because it was something that no one else thought of,” says Jay. These third-year students of Symbiosis College for Liberal Arts want to make a difference through their music. Their idea
Unveil the real authentic Traditional Ayurveda
,
US
is to connect with people and spread a social message. “Music has a unique way of connecting with people on a deeper level. We are incorporating musical elements into routine things as well as trying to do something different. We are against capitalising music, instead we want our songs
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
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RAHUL RAUT
Try interesting chow with a twist
TGS LIFE
Tired of eating the same old food? Here are three dishes in a new avataar
Ragda Cone
By Abha Pandit @abha_pandit
CHICKEN MISAL Puneri Misal is in its own league, although it is slightly less spicy than its Kolhapur variant. With innumerable places in the city serving the dish as their speciality, one wonders what novelty can be brought to a dish that has already been done to death. Lay Bhari, a small joint in Chinchawade Nagar in the
K
nown for various signature dishes, everyone in the city has their favourite. Be it street food, chaat or traditional Mahashtrian fare. But ever so often, one gets bored of eating the same thing over and over again. For a much needed break from the ordinary, TGS brings you three dishes which bring a new perspective to traditional food. BAKED WADA PAV One of our favourite street food is the humble Wada Pav. But as tasty as the traditional wada pav is, it is not the healthiest. For the health conscious people, there is a healthier option that doesn’t compromise on taste. Chef Pritam Mahadik of The O Hotel in Koregaon Park came up with the concept of a Baked Wada Pav. This particular dish has a very little amount of oil in it and is baked in the oven instead of being fried. A traditional Wada Pav has a separately cooked potato savoury to go with the pav. In this inventive dish, the bun is baked with the potato filling inside it. From the outside it doesn’t seem like a regular wada pav. “It looks just like a round bun,” explains the chef, “but once you bite into it, you get the essence of the dish,” says Mahadik. The Baked Wada Pav is served with spicy chutneys. To fulfil your quest for healthy food, go ahead and opt for whole wheat or multigrain bread. Since its launch, the dish has gotten a great response, especially from the in house guests who prefer it as a breakfast item.
PCMC area has the answer to that question. With their Kadak Chicken Misal, they have brought some innovation to a regular Maharashtrian favourite. “Non-veg misal is not something that one sees too often. In fact, I am not aware of any other place in Pune serving this,” says creator and owner Rajesh Phawale. Wanting to do something different, he started adding boneless chicken and playing around with types of farsan to go in the dish. A plate of the chicken misal includes a smokey chicken rassa, with sev, papdi and bundi for the crunch. Pieces of fried boneless chicken are served on the side and can be added as per the customer’s preference. The dish is completed with steaming pav, lathered with butter. “There are a lot of people who are plain curious about the concept. Once they try it, they keep coming back, and so the response has been great,” explains Rajesh. RAGDA CONE Ask any chaat seller in the city, and one can find ragda puri or masala puri as one of their most popular items. Piping hot ragda served on a plate of puris, topped with chutneys and sev, garnished with chopped onions, tomatoes and coriander. At a small joint in the city, Ratnagiri MH 08 in Karve Nagar, ragda puri gets a new look. Instead of using regular puris, the filling is stuffed inside a crispy savoury cone. Generously mixed with two types of chutneys, this ragda cone is a perfect blend of spicy and sweet. “The dish originates in Ratnagiri. Only our store offers this dish in Pune,” explains Vishal Chopda, one of the owners. Such is the uniqueness, that Vishal and his partner Sagar Dalvi have sought a copyright and patent for their delicious ragda cone. abha.pandit@goldensparrow.com
YOUR CHOW AROUND TOWN Zaike Ka Safar
Cheese Festival
1000 Oaks is hosting a Kashmiri Food Festival called Zaike ka Safar. The festival is on for lunch and dinner and Chef Sunil Mattoo and his Kong Poush team from Kashmir have been specially brought down for this occasion. Kashmiri cooking comprises two schools of culinary craftsmanship – Kashmiri Pandit and Wazwaan. The basic difference between these two is that the former uses hing and curd while the latter uses onions and garlic. Specialities like Tabak Maaz (lamb chops), Goshtaba (lamb koftas), Kokur Kanti (chicken marinated in spices) and Mujih Gaad (fish cooked with white radish) along with a range of vegetarian dishes including the Havan Dal (green moong dal), Nadir Monji (shallow fried lotus stems), Haakh (Exotic green leafy vegetables) will be available. When: Till November 29 Where: 1000 Oaks, Camp
Cheese lovers ahoy! It’s time to indulge your taste buds and have some weekend fun at the annual ABC Farms Cheese Festival. You can discover and taste exotic cheese varieties along with some yummy homemade German cheesecakes and quiches. Adding to the fun will be chef demos and competitions at the venue. When: Till November 22 Where: ABC Farms, Koregaon Park
Goan Food Festival Get a taste of Goan signature preparations such as Fish Rechado, Crab Xex-Xec, Pork Vindaloo, Sorpotel, Sanna, Goan Prawn Curry and much more at The Cafe. The 2-week long festival, open for lunch and dinner, is curated by Chef
Rajdeep Rana. When: Till November 29 Where: The Cafe, Hyatt Regency, Viman Nagar
RAHUL RAUT
TGS LIFE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
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Chicken soup for your pet’s soul Your furry friends now have quite a few meal options to choose from By Abha Pandit @abha_pandit
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e are spoilt for options especially when it comes to restaurants and food. When we have such a wide range to choose from, why should our furry friends be left behind? Cafes are now turning pet-friendly, with some even offering special food for your pooch. WELCOMING PETS Pets are as good as family, so it’s obviously difficult to leave them alone at home when their owners are out having a good time. With pet friendly cafes on the rise in the city, now your dog can sit right beside your table. Meeta Makhecha of The Flour Works in Kalyani Nagar says her love of animals made her open up her cafe to dog owners. “Although I don’t own any pets myself, a lot of friends have dogs. They have always been welcome here, so I
thought of officially opening up the place to other dogs as well,” she says. Meeta also keeps chew sticks for the dogs so they are occupied while their owners enjoy their meal. The golden rule for these pet friendly cafes is that the animals must not disturb other customers. “As long as they are well behaved, all animals are welcome in my cafe,” says Mukta Raj owner of Cafe Bohemia in Viman Nagar. Mukta has two dogs of her own, and looks after strays in the area. A lot of regulars drop in for a cup of coffee and bring their pets with them. Although there are currently no items on the menu for animals, the menu is in the pipeline. Mukta and Meeta are also actively involved in rehabilitation of stray dogs, by organising adoption drives. DOG MENUS Apart from being pet friendly, there are some places in the city that offer dogs their own menu. With a variety of dishes to choose from, it isn’t a wonder that these places are becoming massively popular with doting dog owners. Cafe Joshua is one such place located in Aundh. As you enter the place, the owner’s dog Joshua, after whom the cafe is named, is ready to welcome guests. For the owner, Savyasachin Mittal, his dog is like his child and he even accompanies him on trips across the country. “If I treat my dog like my baby, there would obviously be others who do the same. Hence I when I decided to start this cafe, I wanted to make it as accessible to dogs as possible,” he says. Cafe Joshua’s dog menu includes hot dogs, rice bowls and even special sugar free cookies and cakes. Sweta Jobanputra, owner of Where Else Cafe in Viman Nagar, is of the same opinion. “Even at places which are pet friendly, animals just come and sit next to their owners. Here, they too get an option for food,” she says. Her partners own a Pit Bull Terrier and that is where the idea originated. Out of sevenodd items on their pet menu, the high protein chicken bone is the most popular since it keeps dogs occupied for a long time while their owners relax in the cafe. DOG DABBAWALAS A step ahead from dog menus, entrepreneurs in the city are offering customised home cooked meals for your best friend. Tupi’s Dabbas is a venture started by former investment banker Vijeta Singh, inspired by her own pug Tupi. “The day I brought
Tupi home, I knew I didn’t want to feed him processed dog food,” she says. After she did some research and started cooking meals for him at home, she realised that other owners would also want to feed their dogs nutritious, home-cooked meals. “Tupi’s Dabbas provides fresh, home-made food for dogs, depending on their breed and diet preferences,” explains Vijeta. Another similar venture, Doggie Dabbas, operates on a higher scale. A pet nutritionist by profession, Rashee Kuchroo provides customised dabbas, depending on each dog’s health conditions. “My own dog was obese, so I started cooking special food to help him lose weight. Slowly, I started designing meal plans for other health issues as well, according to the breed of the dog,” explains Rashee. Each dog has a separate meal plan, and Doggie Dabbas takes care of all of their food requirements. Most people feel that their dogs are doing okay with a meal of roti and milk, but the intention should be for dogs to thrive not survive, she states. Frozen and vacuumed packets are delivered to customers each week, and Rashee is very particular about the menu. Chicken jerky and liver are their most popular items. abha.pandit@goldensparrow.com
I am a
TGS LIFE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES
They are strong, they are courageous and, more importantly, they did not give up when the going got tough. Meet five brave hearts from the city, who have survived to tell their tale
By Zainab Kantawala & Salonee Mistry @TGSWeekly
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or most of us, the toughest task we have had to deal with is a bad day at work, a bad relationship or tough times at home. It is a completely different scenario when the toughest thing you have to do is struggle to stay alive. Survivors, in every sense, Neha Satav and Arvind Sanghvi’s journey’s are a perfect example of how having faith in getting better goes a long way in making one actually feel better. Mihir Sawant’s experience shows how nothing should stop you from doing what ignites the passion. Smital Waykar and Lalita Shinde exemplify how even with scars on the outside a normal life can be lived when you are a strong person on the inside. What these five people have in common is a fire within to live life and live it king size. No matter what the circumstances, with the support of their families, they have managed to either fight off the one thing that was pulling them down or have found a way to be happy with it. In conversation with five courageous Punekars, TGS shares with you their stories of struggle and inspiration. Neha Satav
A DECADE OF STRUGGLE It’s been 10 years now that Neha Satav was told that she was suffering from leukemia and she was just a 21-yearold law student back then. Continuous fever and a severe backache was what pushed her to the doctor and then blood tests. Dismissing all of this as stress because of her college schedule, Neha’s world was literally turned upside down when she learned what had actually happened. Her family members too were extremely upset and yet for Neha her biggest support and pillar of strength has been her parents, Vinod and Vidya Satav. Luckily for Neha, her elder sister was a perfect match and almost immediately a bone marrow transplant was arranged. Following this, she suffered from jaundice and an eye and lung infection all at once. “I was in a zombie state. I was so weak that I didn’t have the energy to do my regular activities. I was given a hundred tablets a day. I was worried that life as I knew it was over. The high dose of chemotherapy and medicines had innumerable side effects but something from inside forced me keep fighting back,” she says. In order to make her life as normal as possible, irrespective of how sick she was, she gave her exams, graduated, and began working with a law firm in 2007. Neha has however emerged strong and hopes that her story encourages others to find strength and fight back. “You have to be positive and mentally strong. You should have faith in doctors. I have missed out on a lot of things in the last 10 years but at the same time I find myself extremely privileged to have come out of it,” she adds.
Mihir Sawant
FOOTBALL FEVER After about eight surgeries, on his nose, knees, elbows, shoulder blades and every other body part that has the potential to be hurt during a football match, Mihir Sawant is one tough person. Recovering from a ligament tear on his knee, just two months after the surgery he is already working out and playing tournaments. Mihir also suffered a temporal lobe fracture in 2010 which had almost put an end to everything in his life. “It was God’s grace and the prayers of my family that literally brought me back to life. There were chances of me becoming epileptic. A few months later, I was back on the field winning tournaments,” recollects Mihir. For him, it is the joy of being on field and the thrill of winning a match that keeps him going no matter what. When it comes to football, absolutely nothing can stop him. Another accident while on the field was when he fractured his nasal bone and was in the ICU for seven days. For this 28-year-old, every time he suffers an injury the toughest battle is getting back on the ground for only the first time. It’s a cake walk thereon, he assures us. “The only thing that I think of when I step on the field for the first time after a surgery is the fact that I have to play just like I was playing before. Once that initial stage has passed, it is all about getting better at what I do. Giving up or quitting has never even crossed my mind,” he tells us.
“I was in a zombie state. I was given a hundred tablets a day. I was worried that life as I knew it was over. The dose of chemotherapy and medicines had side effects but something from inside forced me keep fighting back” - NEHA SATAV
STAYING STRONG AS T A year ago, Lalita Shinde, 23, w burns on her arm, chest and n experience of her life. In a spl started out as any other day, w before she left for work with h she knew it the stove exploded was just outside their small m to her rescue but there wasn’t rushed to a nearby hospital. B weren’t able to bear the hospi enslaved my husband for over hospital bed cost. I was in pain then threw us out, and threate Lalita. They found hope again w The only cost involved in get travelling to Hadapsar the re good hands and everything w Medicare Multipspeciality Ho happy, irrespective of the pain hand was successful and next and chest,” Lalita tells us with healed, Lalita wants to go back for women and build a church For each of these five peo They have all seen their share them stronger. Not only have to do something and is deter inspiration for so many others
a
TGS LIFE
Survivor
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES
ANIRUDDHA RAJANDEKAR
Lalita Shinde
THE ORDEAL CONTINUES was severely injured and sustained 33 per cent neck. It was the most painful and traumatic it second, her life changed forever. The day with Lalita prepping for the afternoon meal her husband. She turned the stove on before d. Her husband, Dharamsingh Shindhe who make-shift tent in Pimpri-Chinchwad came t much he could do. She was immediately But the doctors refused to treat her as they ital expenses. “They put me in a ward, and six months without any pay, citing it as my n, but the doctors refused to treat me. They ened us to not speak up against them,” adds
when they heard about Dr Ganesh Rakh. tting treated from Dr Ganesh was that of est was all free. “I had a feeling I was in was going to be okay. The staff at the Pune ospital is extremely nice and makes you feel n one might be in. The plastic surgery on my t week they shall be operating on my neck h a smile on her face. After she is completely k to her hometown, Beed and start an NGO h as well. ople, the meaning of life today is different. of hardships and troubles only to rise from they shown what one can do if one decides rmined, they have also proved to be a big like them.
Smital Waykar
A TEEN’S EXPERIENCE OF SPEEDING It was just four months back in July, 19-year-old Smital Waykar was involved in a serious bike accident. On her way to her last dentist’s appointment Smital was completely unaware of what was to happen next. Dashing into another biker who was riding on the wrong side of the road is all she remembers. Since both motorists were speeding, neither of them were able to control their vehicles and the next thing Smital remembers is waking up in the ICU. She had sustained a series of injuries — her face was badly bruised and had seven fractures on the right side of her face. She had almost lost vision in her right eye which is slowly returning now. “I just remember being woken up in hospital and wondering why I was in so much pain. Luckily for me, I was rushed to the hospital fast enough. Later I was, told that the girl on the other bike was deaf and could not speak either,” she tells us. Smital underwent an open skull surgery, and was in the ICU for a month. Her recovery was spurred by gratitude for the stranger who took her to the hospital, and her family and friends who stood by her side throughout. “I can’t thank my family enough for the support system that they have been. I could not have gone through this and come out strong if my father was not by my side telling me that everything was alright. They would sit with me in the hospital for hours, tell me that I was strong and that I would do big things with my life,” she adds. Almost hale and hearty today, Smital is currently pursuing BA from Modern College. Post the accident, her take on life has completely changed. She doesn’t let anything bring her down anymore because she believes that nothing can take her down further than where she was after her accident. “I have become more positive and I have the will to fight any problems that come my way,” she says.
Arvind Sanghvi
STAYING HAPPY IS THE KEY TO GOOD HEALTH Around 30 doctors and two decades later, Arvind Sanghvi is doing everything in his power to stay fit and get the best from what life has to offer. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990, for Arvind it was a tough time. Having episodes every six months was not easy to deal with and his wife, he says, has been his biggest support. Following this, fed up of all the medicines and visits to the doctor, he decided to take matters into his own hands. “For a patient suffering from multiple sclerosis, the biggest challenge is getting up in the morning. I start my day with 45 minutes of yoga, meditation and walking. About three litres of water and a good, fibre-rich breakfast is the reason that I have not visited the doctor for multiple sclerosis after 1995,” says Arvind. Overcoming this was, however, not the end for him. It was another two years of back and forth from the doctors in Pune and Mumbai that Arvind was told he was suffering from Raynaud’s phenomenon. This is a disorder of blood circulation and is a rare disease. He also has a blood pressure problem and the high dose of medicines gave him a urinary infection - SMITAL WAYKAR too. No one who has met the 45-year-old would imagine everything that he has been through. “You just need one positive sign to know that everything will be all right. Most of it is a mind game which is why it is always in the patients’ hand to make themselves feel better. If I can fight and still be hale and hearty after everything that has happened to me, I am sure anyone can do it. It’s important to believe that you can,” he says.
“I just remember being woken up in hospital and wondering why I was in so much pain”
TGS LIFE VISHAL KALE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
THRILL OF DRIVING
BETTER LATE
Not really a touring motorcycle by design, but it’ll do
By Tushar Burman @tburman
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he Mojo by Mahindra 2 Wheelers has been the worst-kept secret in Indian automotive history and a truly unique product for its sheer development cycle time. It’s taken five years for it to go from first look to product, which means it’s been bouncing around some brains even longer than that. When we first learned of it some years ago, it ticked the right boxes: a relatively large 300cc displacement, liquid cooling, modern-ish suspension components. It was a different world, one in which a wellkept RD350 still ruled the roads. There were even two exhaust pipes, an absolute essential checkbox to be taken seriously as a “big” bike. The Mojo is a stark reminder of just how quickly and much the world has changed since it planned to make its entry. For Mahindra 2 Wheelers, this is an all-new motorcycle. It shares nothing with their previous commuter platform upon which the Centuro is based, though the family resemblance is obvious with those awful gold bars across the side. While it wasn’t developed ground-up by Mahindra in India, it has seen significant changes through its slow cooking for half a decade, and has come together well as a bike. Mahindra 2 Wheelers need this bike to be performant to cement their position as a serious player. There’s no getting around the fact that the Mojo is a confused motorcycle. As a styling exercise in the previous decade, you could have let it pass as an interesting Italian concept. Motorcycle roles and their attendant ergonomics have evolved into well-understood segments today. For instance, you expect a sports bike to have a crouching seating position, a cruiser to be laid-back, an adventure tourer to be upright with the possibility of standing on the pegs. Mahindra pegs the Mojo as a touring motorcycle, but for the way it looks, it must prove those credentials for the customer to believe them. It looks roughly like a sporty naked -- a well-understood format of bike, but swing a leg over and you’re unlikely to get your foot directly on the pegs: they’re set ahead enough for a perfect “commuter” stance. You could be sitting on any of the myriad 100cc commuter motorcycles available in India. This is unexpected, not necessarily bad. Certainly, the decent seat and comfortable reach to the bars would make longer rides on the Mojo far more appealing than, say the knee-cramping KTM twins. The 15.5-litre tank is sculpted to receive your knees and allow you to lock in properly. The hybrid analog/digital instrument cluster is large and visible,
frequency buzz through the tank at some speeds. Mahindra have clearly damped the worst of them out for comfort. Power delivery is extremely linear and there are no surprises anywhere. This will put off the more aggressive rider, but we suspect that it will make the Mojo easy to live with in the long run, and likely grow on the rider through time. Of particular note is the six-speed gearbox on the bike, which is a pleasure to flick through. It’s positive, gave no false neutrals during our test and clutch action is feather-light. The Mojo can also be deceptive in the way it builds speed. The commuter riding stance and linear power, combined with an unimaginative exhaust note don’t give the rider an indication of speed. But speed it is capable of. I found myself doing higher average speeds on my late-night commute back home than with some larger motorcycles I could mention. You could do a nononsense 100kmph all-day, every day on the Mojo and be in that sweet spot of comfort and control. You do feel like you’re caning a small-capacity motor, but the 295cc is evident when you look down at the speedo. Ride quality is also very good for city use, and makes the speed the Mojo is capable of more useful more of the time. Kudos to Mahindra for providing top-notch tyres with the Mojo: Pirelli Diablo Rosso II hoops on 17” rims. Mahindra 2 Wheelers is using this feature in their marketing material, so we expect this tyre choice to continue. We also hear that the Verdict dealers are offering replacements and competitive rates, so + Comfort, you shouldn’t be too worried wearing them out on tours. It’s price a relatively soft compound tyre, so we aren’t sure how long Liquid-cooled 295cc motor is cooled by - Performance, they’ll last, but they’ll be fun getting them to bald. the large radiator hidden by a plastic quality Unfortunately we weren’t very happy with the dynamics shroud. A bit rough-looking of the Mojo. Perhaps it was a combination of a nearly-full tank TGS rating (15.5 litres is a lot of weight to be carried high on the bike) and ;;`ZZ the large headlight assembly mounted on the forks. The Mojo felt heavy to steer and the weight on the front did not translate to a day or night and the bike is light enough to planted feel. It felt a bit like sitting on top of a bike as opposed to push around for parking without complaint. It’s not light, being a part of it. To be sure, there weren’t any scary moments, but but manageable. We do have a gripe with the side stand we had trouble becoming one unit. Another bugbear is the front though, which is short and stubby, and hard to get to with brake. It’s a 320mm petal-shaped disc, but initial bite is lacking, your left foot. The front headlight cluster with its twin so you end up using more effort toward the end of the lever travel. round lamps is aggressive and imposing, and the LED They stop alright, but don’t inspire confidence. There’s also no strip ‘eyebrows’ are a nice touch. The lights themselves ABS, which is a serious omission. Mahindra is working on an aren’t very bright though, nor is the spread optimal. We’d ABS model, but it’s not available now. swap out the standard bulbs with something more potent The Mojo has been launched at Rs 1.58 lac ex-showroom, if we had the bike longer. which is very competitive for its segment, whatever segment Build quality is OK. Paint and components look you choose to slot it into. Long-term reliability and costs are cheap, but they’re put together well. We didn’t have any unknown, but it should make for a capable, and frugal crosssqueaks or rattles on our test, but Mahindra could have country motorcycle. done more to take the visage a bit upmarket. There’s In the half-decade that Mahindra has taken to bring this nothing here that looks any more premium than a regular bike to market, the competition has grown to be formidable. You commuter motorcycle. could buy a KTM Duke 200 for less, which performs better in For its size, the Mojo is immediately underwhelming all respects, but is less suited for long hauls. Then there’s the R15, on the go. The 30Nm of torque is delivered higher up in CBR150 and Pulsar 200 range. Mahindra 2 Wheelers has made the rev range and doesn’t make its present felt initially, a smart marketing choice by connecting the dots and playing up which we expect is due to the 165kg dry weight. That the ‘touring’ angle; most of the competition can’t really boast of said, the motor is reasonably refined and you don’t feel too this capability. much vibration in the arms or legs, though there is a high
VISHAL KALE
Meet the youngest
TGS LIFE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
IB school
FEATURES
teacher
were visiting the school. They sat in on my interview and I managed to convince them about why the school should hire me,” she tells us. It was after this interview that she was told that in the AsiaPacific region she was the youngest person ever to be appointed as a teacher for the IB board. Following this, Ira completed her graduation and post-graduation in Education and is currently the head of the pre-primary department at Victorious Kidss Educares School. She is also mentoring students of grade 11 and 12 for their community outreach projects. Since these are the two age-groups she connects with the most, she could not be happier with the way things have shaped up. While most would be content after achieving so much at such a young age, Ira’s eagerness to learn and keep excelling has pushed her towards becoming an authorised IB workshop leader as well. She holds workshops and training sessions with new teachers, inspiring them to teach in the correct manner. She is the only one from India to be authorised currently to do this.
Juggling her career as a teacher, her own education and her passion for social work, 23-year-old Ira Ghosh has already garnered many feathers in her cap
By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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rom being someone who absolutely hated the traditional Indian education system to becoming the youngest International Baccalaureate (IB) board teacher in the Asia Pacific region, Ira Ghosh is an achiever in the true sense. Born in Persia, Ira moved to India when she was 11 years old and was enrolled in a Persian school located in Pashan. After a year she was shifted to an English medium school. Learning to speak, read and write in English was quite the task and the school where she studied did nothing to make the process easy. Having overcome all the troubles she faced because of not knowing the language, today the young girl has not only made her family, but also the country proud.
MASTERING THE LANGUAGE As a child, Ira was interested in arts till she got the opportunity to volunteer as a teacher for the pre-primary department at Victorious Kiddss Educares School in Kharadi. “When I was enrolled in an English school, getting through every single day was extremely difficult. All the courses were obviously in English and although I understood the concepts, putting them in words or explaining them in English was very tough. I hated school and everything about the Indian education system then. The teachers made it so much more difficult,” says Ira as she remembers her school days. It was after this terrible experience that she decided to work extremely hard towards improving her English and mastering the language so that nothing could stop her from being an excellent student. She took extra tuitions, worked overtime and is today proudly teaching it to others after getting an advanced diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL). Her intention is to be able to connect with those who don’t know language and
Ira Ghosh spending time with kids at an orphanage
keep them away from the experience that she had. Currently, Ira is in her last semester of pursuing an MA in International Education from University of Bath, UK, and already holds an MA in Western and Indian Philosophy from Savtribai Phule Pune University. BECOMING A TEACHER Even though, as a student, she absolutely disliked the way schools functioned and how teachers taught, when she volunteered in a school, she felt a great connection with the children she was teaching and the IB pedagogy practiced. It was the bond that she formed in those six months, that made her want to become a teacher. When Ira knew for sure that teaching is what she wanted to do for the rest of her life, her next challenge was to convince the society that being young in age doesn’t define her capability and ability as a teacher. “When I walked into the school, asking them to appoint me as a teacher, they thought I was joking. At the time, the Asia-Pacific region associate manager, Kathy Derrick and manager Mignon Weckert of the IB school from Singapore
Art steps out on the street By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
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mob, inspired by a creative energy, is all set to take over Koregaon Park with an aim to let art speak for itself, in a language that isn’t blocked by walls. Artists from Work Productions have made an attempt to help art break free from the margins of galleries and concerts and have made it available for the common man. After their successful stint at Delhi and Mumbai, the Art Mob now comes to Pune. “Art has always been the socio-cultural development parameter for any country. However, these days, art has become detached from the general population and has merely
WHEN SHE ISN’T TEACHING Apart from spending time with students in the classroom, Ira is involved with a lot of social work when she isn’t teaching. Some of the social work has to do with children, some with women empowerment and some with simply being kind. India’s representative for the Life Vest Inside organisation, which is based in New York, Ira was the first to bring the organisations concept and ideology of spreading kindness to India. She also used to work with an NGO called Power Sisterhood that worked in the field of woman equality and empowerment among other things. She conducts Think Peace workshops where young girls travel to remote villages and are taught about the different problems faced by women and what they can do to help. Visiting old-age homes and orphanages is also something that Ira follows very religiously. For the last few years, she has celebrated her birthday at an old-age home just laughing, talking and engaging in fun activities with the residents. Spiritual at heart and a true believer of the fact that everything happens for a reason, Ira feels she was destined to become a teacher. “Teaching, as a profession, has helped me grow as a person individually, spiritually, professionally and emotionally. I could not be more thankful to my parents, Robbin and Saarada Ghosh for all the support and love that they have showered on me. Had it not been for them, I would have never had the strength or even dreamed of achieving everything that I have today,” says Ira, adding, “When parents call and ask me to talk to their children as they will only listen to me or when I meet some of my ex-students who have grown to become such wonderful people that makes me feel fortunate to have become a teacher.” salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
Brace yourself for an Art Mob that aims to bringing their work out of their regular spaces and onto the streets
become a commodity that is for sale and plays a role of a show-piece. This has made art less people centric,” says Kshitij Pandey, the organiser.The artist will hold an exhibition of their artworks, ranging from figurative and abstract paintings to photographs clicked by amateur photographers. The other side of the street, opposite High Spirits, will have guitarists jamming together. “Here, the artists will showcase their work in the midst of the crowd, on the roads of Pune along with a symphony of percussions. Visually, it will mimic an exhibition and concert but there will be no walls which separate art from people. Artists will be acting as the wall holding their art work,” Kshitij adds. Around 50 artists, including painters and photographers, are
expected to participate in the event. The aim is to reach people from every walk of life, when they are not reaching the galleries. In this manner, they wish to provide an opportunity to every struggling artist to showcase their art and build a network with art enthusiasts. “After an overwhelming response in Delhi, we wanted to take this to other cities as well. Some of the painters were able to sell and auction their artwork there. We are hoping the Pune art mob will be a success too,” says Kshitij. There is no political or social agenda behind this event. The cause is simply and truly art. So join them and be a part of the celebration. When: November 21, 4 pm onwards Where: Koregaon Park Annexe, opposite High Spirits
SP
TGS LIFE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
SHOPPING
WINTER PREP YOUR WARDROBE By Heena Grover Menon
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inter has set in. Start adding some charm to your wardrobe with this super stylish ensemble in shades of black and white to look elegant this season.
Anushka for Code Black Cardigan
This supersoft black cardigan is the perfect way to cover up this season, thanks to its classic chic and wearable appeal. Designed with textured pattern, this soft knit layer leaves you feeling anew. Whether you pair it with jeans or over a dress, this cardigan’s classic look is a stylish choice. Price: Rs 2,699 Where: Code, Lifestyle
Black Cotton Silk Straight Suit Set
Herringbone Coat
This Herringbone print long coat with long sleeves and lapel collar is a must for your winter wardrobe. Wear it over a dress, skirt or even fitted denims paired with high heels to look uber chic. Price: Rs 5,990 Where: Zara
Look striking and stunning in this black ethnic suit set. Made of cotton silk, this ethnic and extremely stylish suit is super comfortable to wear during a day or evening do. Price: Rs 4,599 Where: Biba
Wool Woven Shawl
Make yourself feel gorgeous this wintry weather with an addition of shawl to your wardrobe that will keep you comfortable all day. Price: Rs 2,190 Where: Fabindia
Meander-Patterned Tassel Poncho This chunky knit poncho features a meander pattern and tassels along its hem. A perfect accessory for a winter outing. Price: Rs 1,679 Where: Forever 21
Leather High Heel Ankle Boots
Your winter wardrobe is incomplete without the classic black boots which essentially go with almost all attires. They might burn a hole in your pocket, but leather boots are an accessory you must invest on. Price: Rs 7,990 Where: Zara
Slit Long Skirt
This front cutout skirt has a removable belt at the waist and zip fastening on the back section for an ease to wear. Pair it up with a white shirt or pullover along and you are ready for a formal do. Price: Rs 3,490 Where: Mango
Printed Fitted Pants
Look stylish and trendy in these chequered coloured trousers made from a blend of cotton and spandex. You can team these trousers with a stylish top and a winter jacket to complete the casual look. Price: Rs 2,695 Where: Vero Moda
Creating records and setting new limits She plans to run the 6010 km route along the Golden Quadrilateral in the fastest time possible. The feat will ensure the Queen of Endurance, Michelle Kakade, makes a grand entry into the Guinness Book of World Records By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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he city is full of runners practicing in the mornings and events being organised almost every weekend as the marathon season is upon us. One avid runner however has taken her love and passion for long distance running to a whole new level. She already has three Limca Book records to her name and is now attempting to make a Guinness Book World Record as well. She is attempting to cover the Golden Quadrilateral which is a total of 6010 kms. Connecting Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai among other places like Surat, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Bengaluru and Pune, this run across India has been Michelle Kakade’s dream for a while now. Taking time out of her extremely busy schedule that she has to stick to in order to make the record, she shares how the past one month has been, the toughest aspect of the adventure and what she hopes to gain from it. ON HER ADVENTURE Running for a month now, Michelle started her adventure from the Gateway of India and covered a distance of about 35 kilometers on day one. Aiming at completing the run in about 181 days, she runs for five and a half hours daily and covers an average of 35 kilometers. “I am not a fast runner, but I can run for long distances. After starting to run at the age of 35, it took time to gain speed and endurance. Now, however, running has become a part of me and I could not be happier,” she says. Michelle has already passed Kadkawane, Bagwada, Navsari, Surat, Lakodara, Vasad in Gujarat, Udaipur,
Chittorgarh in Rajsthan and is now nearing Bhilwara. From here she will move on to Delhi and the other major metropolitans. Helping her make her record will be the validating tools like the Garmin watch which will give the officials compass bearing, altitude and her GPS location making the process of tracking her easier. Apart from this, a daily log, photos and videos, the spraying of the date on all her start and end points and witness statements will be used by the officials to validate her run. “The journey up until now has been a great one. As I passed Gujarat, a lot of fellow runners joined me in my run, accompanied me for as long as they could. They asked me to take pictures with them at the start and finish points and it has been really encouraging. I usually start at around 3 or 4 am and, irrespective, there have been people waiting to run alongside and that is just overwhelming,” she says. MISSING HER FAMILY While many might assume that the run is what drains the energy out of her, the toughest part of making this record is being away from her family. Missing her husband, Anil Kakade and her two children, she can’t wait to get back home. Her family is her biggest support and is partly responsible for everything that she has achieved today. They are, in a large way, her inspiration to work harder and finish the run faster so she can get home at the earliest. Michelle’s husband has been her biggest strength through all this and she could not be more thankful. He is not only by her side through every race and endurance test but encourages her by funding her races and being there for her every step of the way.
a fantastic picnic and a family gathering. On Sunday, they screen ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ that stars Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Bernie Mac. Their newly opened pizzeria The Greedy Man will be dishing out their authentic thin-crust pies while Greek stalwart Euriska will blow you away with its all new day menu. After sunset live music featuring the soothing sounds of local talent ‘Easy Wanderings’ will complete your family outing. When: November 22 Where: The Monalisa Kalagram, Koregaon Park
Euphoria Twilight Talkies Starlit skies, the sweet smell of flowers, grass under your feet and a large screen to watch one of your favourite films. That’s the perfect reason for you to attend the third episode of Twilight Talkies. Food stalls with delicious cine-grub, juices and popcorn make for
Check out an exhibition by three artists at Darpan Art Gallery (Kalachaya campus). The artists who’d be showcasing their paintings are Parineeta Goenka, Janhavi Bijur and Sarika Kadam. Parineeta specialises in the abstract medium of painting trying to find a foothold in the art world. Her paintings are about colours, textures and ecstasy. She aspires to work with the best in the field of art.
TGS LIFE
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
FEATURES Being away from him during one of her biggest runs is difficult, she admits. ACCOMPLISHMENTS GALORE Not only will Michelle be the first woman to be the fastest Indian to have travelled the Golden Quadrilateral on foot but will also be the first one to have attempted something like this. After she started running and competing, she has set quite a few records. She holds a place in the Limca Book Records for the ‘Most Desert Ultramarathons by an Indian’, ‘Maximum hours run on a treadmill’, which was 171 kilometers in 25 hours, and ‘The first Indian to run the 4 Deserts Run’. She has also successfully completed one of the toughest footraces — the Marathon Des Sables, in 71 hours, 56 minutes and 25 seconds. The race covers 254 kilometers, over six days in six stages and takes place in the Saharan desert of Morocco. She has also done the Atacama Crossing race in 62 hours. It is known for being a difficult race because it is one of the driest places on Earth. With an uneven terrain comprising of salt lakes, volcanoes, lava flows and sand dunes, not to forget the erratic climate, the races covers over 250 kms. The Gobi March held in China, the Sahara Race of Egypt and the Last Desert race of Antarctica are other races where the fierce and passionate runner has accomplished in her journey over the last 12 years. MORE THAN THE RECORD Completing the 6,010 kms to make the record is not the only thing motivating Michelle to cross the finish line. The funds she raises from the run will be diverted to the cause of women empowerment which is something that she strongly believes in. “In addition to the cause, I sincerely hope that more people are inspired to become runners. Getting the running culture of our country at par with the levels set by international runners is a dream that I hope this run will push me closer too,” she adds. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
Janhavi, a graphic designer by profession, uses art in the digital medium. Creating a fusion between the paintbrush, pen ink and graphic tools is her forte. She loves blending traditional folk art with a contemporary twist. Sarika Kadam is a mixed media artist blending acrylics, oil and watercolour medium to create an abstract form of art. Her paintings have her distinct style and she hopes to go beyond with her first solo exhibition. When: Till November 24 Where: Darpan Art Gallery, Senapati Bapat Road
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FEATURES
Finding solace in wilderness She gave up luxuries of city life to find comfort in a quaint woodland that she now calls home By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
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comforts back in the city, but she always found it suffocating being confined inside the four walls. “Ever since I was a little girl, I loved staying outdoors and as I started working for wildlife and environment, I started realising I didn’t belong to the city life at all and with this project, I want to set an example on how one can choose to live a minimalistic life by staying close to nature and its gifts, lead an eco-friendly life. This place is open to everyone, and in return I only want that when they leave from here, they spread what they have learned or absorbed and spread the message further.” The project offers various interesting activities throughout the year such as nature walks, reading sessions, organic farming, bird
RAHUL RAUT
conservation biologist by profession, Pooja Bhale started Protecterra, a foundation that aims at creating awareness about environmental wildlife in 2010. Having worked in the field of wildlife research for many years, Pooja felt that there was a great need to connect people to nature, so she started her dream project on a two-acre farm land inside NDA, off Paud Road, three years ago, where she planted around 1,800 trees of different species. A place where people would not just come to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, but connect with nature and go back with a fresh perspective about the importance of the ecosystem. After having spent three years building this project, she finally decided to give up worldly desires and made this farm her home. As we drove down the NDA road, after crossing two barricades, we spot a small green Protecterra board on an old rusty gate, wondering what’s waiting for us on the other side. The gate makes a screeching sound, the next moment, you see the dogs approaching, and along comes Pooja in her casual pajamas and a sweatshirt holding a bowl of chicken soup for one of her pets
who became a mother the previous night.“We have new members in the family,” she says while petting the other one who is continuously trying to grab the food she is holding for the new mother. After giving a few instructions to one of the helps at the farm, she walks us through the woods towards the part where she lives. As we rest on a charpoy, she points towards her kitchen, a structure made using scrap and waste such as old tyres which work as the base for the structure covered with dhurries which were donated to her organisation. The doors and windows which hold the structure, says Pooja, have also been collected from people who wanted to throw them away. The ceiling is made of wooden planks and fiber ceiling. “Ever since I moved here, I have been trying to make this a zerowaste zone, but I am yet to achieve that goal. I am still using packaged milk, but it’s only till I bring cows into this household. Everything that was available as resources on this patch of land, I have tried to use them to create this farm, the rest are all donations that I receive. Things which people didn’t want to use or throw away – minus the plastic of course.” The kitchen has a little gas burner which she says is enough to
prepare two meals every day. There is a charcoal chulha outside for heating water but that requires cutting wood, which is something that Pooja detests. She recently bought a small refrigerator as it was getting difficult to store food during the summer. “I gave up on my television and a whole lot of things such as cosmetics. Ideally, and eventually, I would want to give up on my phone and the car as well but right now I need these few things to sort out my work and travel.” The tent, where she lives, is minimalistic with only a bed, a small music system, a steel cupboard, a dog cage which she uses to dump her stuff and few little things. The bathroom is made of bamboo, asbestos and a few stones tiles to stand. Pooja had all the luxuries and
Pooja’s kitchen made of recycled waste
watching, school picnics, corporate activities, and so on. But it gets very challenging to maintain the site due to many reasons, says Pooja. “This year, since the city has received very little rain, three of my ponds meant for rain water harvesting have dried up. Due to the scarcity of water, many of the trees have dried up. It’s only after I started living here, that I realised how much it takes to run a place such as this. I learn every day from mistakes and failures but it gives me more confidence and strength to move ahead.” Besides, Pooja is also a telepathic animal communicator and a certified reiki practitioner. While talking about her rescued pets, she said that animals are the most intelligent species and we human beings are nowhere close to them when it comes to understanding emotions. “I live here with five dogs and seven cats, and they all come from varied backgrounds but the way they have found companionship amongst themselves is something that we all should learn. They have their own identities and choices but they have learned to share their space with each other and so beautifully.” While brushing hair off Oslo, a husky she rescued a few years ago, Pooja said she is driving him to Manali in a few days to show him the snow. Hasn’t she given it a thought of leaving him with someone in the hills where he belongs? Pooja takes a deep breath, “Though he loves and appreciates the fact that I take him to the hills once in a while and he has an amazing time there, but it’s not where he wants to live. He wants to be with me wherever I live.” heena.grover@goldensparrow.com
PICS BY RAHUL RAUT
TGS LIFE
Listen to your body
NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
An Economics graduate from Fergusson College, a model, voice-over artist and a marathoner, this 24-year-old girl does everything she is passionate about By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
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hile studying in class 11, Ankita once accompanied her friend for a photo shoot and ended up getting selected to become a model for PNG Jewellers and it was from here that her modelling career began which was followed many popular contests and pageants. Ankita has worked with ace designers such as Vikram Phadnis, Swapnil Shinde, Neeta Lulla, Nishka Lulla, Nivedita Saboo, Manish Arora, JJ Vallaya, Shaina NC, and so on. Ever since she was a young girl, sports has played a major role in her life. She calls herself a water baby and started swimming at the age of six, something that she does to keep her body in a great shape. She was also a state-level basket ball player back in her school and college days. During her post-graduation course, Ankita joined a group of marathoners near NIBM called FreeRunners, where she met Jeetendran Nair and Nitin Pandya, who taught her the basics of long distance running. “It’s because of them that I got hooked on to the sport of long distance running and gradually it has become a part of my lifestyle.” The 24-year-old shares the secret of her fitness with TGS. MORNING My day starts at 4.45 am with a warm glass of water with a twist of lemon along with one multi-vitamin tablet and one teaspoon flax seed to up my stamina
for a run. My run starts at 6 am and it ranges from 8 km to10 km on weekdays. On Sundays, I run a little longer anywhere between 12 km and 21 km. Once a week, I run on trails and do hill running for stamina and speed. One thing I do not miss postrun is my stretching session to flex the muscles. After the run I have a hearty breakfast at 8 am which consists of two egg whites with one roti without oil or poha, upma, or idli along with coconut water. This is also the time I read the newspaper. Between 9.30 am and 10 am, I study a bit on different topics. I watch videos to enhance my speaking skills and body language, which will help me in my career. My mid-day snack time is 11 am. It includes one cup sprouted salad with a fruit post which I go to my college to help students from tribal background in their studies or I step out to do my work assignments whether it is a voice-over or modelling job. NOON My lunch happens at 1.30 pm, where I have different colours on my plate like greens, some raw salad with homemade vegetables, one small bhakri, dal and dahi or buttermilk. It is a lighter meal considering my breakfast is heavy and my stomach is still partially full from my mid-day snack. If I am working outdoors I carry my tiffin along. EVENING At 4.30 pm, around 45 minutes before workout, I consume a small quantity of walnuts with almonds. I head out to the gym at 5.30 pm where I do my core exercises everyday and alternate days of shoulders, legs and back. After gym, I do some yog asanas in the gym which compliment my workout and focus on stretching the muscles that I have worked on that day till around 6.45 pm. NIGHT I get home by 7 pm and have an early dinner at 7.15 pm which consists of fresh veggies, small portion of brown rice or vegetable soup. At 8 pm, I update my daily log on my laptop which helps me read my body better each day. I sit with my family for some time and hit the
FEATURES
ANKITA THITE Weight: 48 kg Height: 5 feet, 7 inches
EXPERT SPEAK Atul Kurpe, Director, Focus Five Fitness Club
You are a very active person and passionate about running. Here are some suggestions which will help you to do better - Put on some weight as you seem underweight. Pre and post workout, meal is very essential, so add good quality and quantity of carbs, protein and micro nutrients. There is a huge gap between your dinner and breakfast. Add small amount of slow absorbing carbs and proteins, few minutes before sleep. Make a proper schedule of your workout and focus on you lower body exercises which will make you more attractive. Expert rating: 7/10
sack by 10 pm. While sleeping, I go into a meditative state where I close my eyes and listen to each body part from toe to head and then fall asleep. FITNESS MANTRA While I was on weight loss, I completely stopped table salt and replaced it with rock salt, white sugar with jaggery, and did not consume bread or any packaged food. I cheated once a week in small portions, if needed, so that I do not go all out on a junk spree. My daily logs helped me a lot in terms of maintain a balance. Women
should a follow healthy lifestyle which in turn helps them in their menstruation cycle. They usually ignore to indentify why there is weight gain or mental or physical imbalance. We must take care of the menstruation cycle by eating healthy. It doesn’t matter whether you are 20 or 50 years old, a little bit of walk or any sport along with a healthy diet will change your world. Listen to your body as it has the ability to teach you so much that it can cure anything. Be healthy, happy and lead a life like a rock star. heena.grover@goldensparrow.com
Make your nails look stunning this wedding season
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ith the wedding season approaching, it is time to look your finest. Along with your outfit and hair, well maintained and trendy nails are just as important. Stylist and nail artist Riona Biyani shares some easy Do-ItYourself tips to ensure your nails look the best. • Cuticle conditioning is important, especially in winters. Applying good quality cuticle oil religiously before bed helps in keeping them healthy. • For whiter nails, soak your nails in a mixture of warm water, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for a minute and then wash off. Another option is to apply toothpaste on your nails and scrub it with a toothbrush before washing with warm water. • Apply multiple coats of thin nail polish, not thick coats. Only the upper thick coat will end up drying, leaving your nails vulnerable to smudges. • For quick drying nail paint, apply one coat of polish and dip nails in ice water. Apply a second coat and place it again in the ice bath. They will dry
much quicker. • In case of nail infections, apply vaporub on the affected nails. The ingredient thymol present in it works on the bacterial and yeast infections on the nail. • In case of a last minute Riona Biyani outing, apply a coat of glitter nail polish on your regular colour to add a touch of instant glamour to your outfit. • To get a fish net manicure look, take apart a loofah and place the netting over your nails before applying polish. Remove it once the paint has dried. • While using chunky glitter nail polish, dab on the first coat instead of brushing it on. This helps evenly distribute the chunky glitter. As told to Abha Pandit
TGS LIFE NOVEMBER 21, 2015 PUNE
BUZZ
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inner of two Grammy Awards Afrojack is slated to be in Pune next week. At 26, he is one of the most notable names in the world of EDM. From humble beginnings in Holland, he has now grown to become an iconic music producer. Forbes magazine has crowned him as Number 7 on 'The World's Highest Paid DJs List'. “I started playing the piano at age of seven. Within four years I had downloaded music production software and was
Get set to party with Afrojack creating mixes of my own. When I went to a night club for the first time I was amazed to find 5,000 people together in one room, dancing to deep underground electronic music, and that was when I decided to take this up,” says Nick Leonardus van de Wall a.k.a Afrojack.
Growing up in Spijkenisse in Holland, Afrojack produced music 11 hours a day, something his family didn’t approve of. “I have been producing music for a long time now. For the last five years, I have been travelling non-stop. Most of the time it starts with a melody inside my head and I immediately work on it on the road. Then I finish it afterwards in my studio,” he says. When: November 28 Where: Amanora Park Town
Indian musicians give her goosebumps
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iz Mitchell, the voice of 70s’ blockbuster band Boney M was in Pune for her fi rst ever live show in the city. While talking to TGS the 63-year-old said that she never wanted to become a pop star. “In fact, I would feel very uncomfortable when people referred me to be one and I still do after so many decades. I am a normal human being fi rst and God chose me to be here for a purpose which was spreading love through my music,” she said. Liz doesn’t know too many Indian musicians by name but she is fascinated by their work. “I really love the way Indian musicians perform. Indian music is so soulful, that one instantly connects to it. Though I don’t understand the language, it gives me goose bumps when I hear Indian artists, especially some of the female vocalists,” said the star, who performed at a mall in Viman Nagar on Friday.
She loves being Shesh Naagin By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
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he has been in the television industry for over six years and has been part of numerous popular shows. Adaa Khan is at one of the most interesting phases of her career. She plays Shesh Naagin, a negative role, in the serial Naagin which is attracting high TRPs. The role is quite demanding and she even suffered an injury while doing a particular sequence recently, but Adaa says that experimenting with different characters is what makes an actor worthy. The 26-year-old believes in taking things one at a time. Besides Naagin, she is also doing Comedy Nights Bachao, which, she says, is like a breath of fresh air and expands her scope of acting. “I am a very calm person, so when I started playing Naagin, people would ask me if I am actually a very aggressive person. I take it as a compliment because that’s what I am here for. When I play a character, I become that person.” Adaa doesn’t believe in the concept of a dream role and says every role that she plays takes her a step forward in her career. “When I was doing Amrit Manthan, I got an opportunity to portray several shades in one TV series which I really wanted to do. But I don’t wish to play a character that has already had screen time. For instance, Kareena’s Geet in Jab We Met can never be played by anyone else.” heena.grover@ goldensparrow.com